This is supposed to be a grudge game: Drew Bledsoe and the Buffalo Bills against New England, which traded him away after he lost his job to Tom Brady last season.

But it really isn’t. In fact, with the Patriots having lost four straight after starting their post-Super Bowl season with three wins, there are plenty of people in New England who’d like to have Bledsoe back. Even the man who traded him is saying nice things.

“I’ve always had affection and admiration for Drew,” says Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “Except, of course, when he’s playing against us.”

Kraft might end up admiring Bledsoe anyway when the Bills play host to the Patriots (3-4). Buffalo is 5-3 after going 3-13 last season, and a victory Sunday might just bury New England in the AFC East. The Bills are favored by 21â2 points.

The Bledsoe storyline will be played up right until kickoff, but in the game the quarterback might take a back seat to his running back, Travis Henry. New England is second in the NFL against the pass, but 29th against the run.

Buffalo’s defense? The Bills don’t play much of that.

A team that isn’t bad enough to lose five straight won’t.

PATRIOTS, 27-26

Pittsburgh (minus 3)

at Cleveland

An all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl?

STEELERS, 22-10

Cincinnati (plus 3) at Houston

This is NOT a guarantee …

TEXANS, 17-16

Miami (plus 4 1â2)

at Green Bay (Monday night)

Brett Favre should play. Jay Fiedler won’t.

PACKERS, 24-16

Minnesota (plus 7)

at Tampa Bay

The Bucs are the Bucs no matter who’s coaching them.

BUCS, 9-7

Baltimore (plus 7 1â2)

at Atlanta

Even if Ray Lewis was playing, Michael Vick would run all over the field.

FALCONS, 24-10

Philadelphia (minus 6)

at Chicago

The Eagles do better in the NFC East than outside. The Bears are struggling.

EAGLES, 33-19

St. Louis (minus 3) at Arizona

Rams continue their run at 11 straight.

RAMS, 24-14

Dallas (plus 3) at Detroit

A post-Emmitt-record letdown for Dallas.

LIONS, 13-12

San Francisco (plus 3)

at Oakland

Jerry Rice against the team he made famous. The Raiders don’t lose four in a row.

RAIDERS, 24-23

Tennessee (plus 3 1â2)

at Indianapolis

Two disappointing teams.

COLTS, 27-25

New York Jets (plus 7 1â2)

at San Diego

The Jets are squabbling. The Chargers aren’t.

CHARGERS, 24-7

Jacksonville (plus 3)

at New York Giants

Did the Giants leave it all on the funny-looking Philly turf? Probably not.

GIANTS, 15-10

Washington (plus 2 1â2)

at Seattle

Stephen Davis emulates Emmitt Smith against Seattle’s bad run defense.

REDSKINS, 19-18

LAST WEEK: 7-7 (spread), 9-5 (straight up)

SEASON: 55-60-1 (spread) 72-44 (straight up)